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✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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Chao Pescao is a new casual Latin Caribbean restaurant from longtime San Francisco restaurateur Rene Denis inspired by his Cuban-Colombian heritage. The name, translating roughly to “see you later alligator,” captures the friendly and fun spirit of the restaurant. Cocktails are inspired by many of the traditional drinks from Latin America, while the food pulls from the comforting Cuban and Colombian home cooking of Denis’s childhood. The menu is rounded out with other Latin American favorites with particular emphasis on dishes designed for delivery.
Cool, colorful restaurant prepping Latin Caribbean staples including empanadas, arepas & sandwiches.
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–8:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 272 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 621-2200
Website: https://www.chaopescaosf.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: chaopescaosf.comtripleseat.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Chao Pescao | Cuban-Colombian Restaurant in San Francisco, CA
Chao Pescao is a casual Latin Caribbean restaurant featuring comforting Cuban and Colombian home cooking and the flavors and colors of the Caribbean.
Chao Pescao | San Francisco CA – Facebook
272 McAllister St, San Francisco Tue–Sat | 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM Reserve your table through our website #ChaoPescao #StPatricksDaySF #SanFranciscoEvents # …
¡Chao Pescao! Restaurant – San Francisco, CA | OpenTable
Chao Pescao is a new casual Latin Caribbean restaurant from longtime San Francisco restaurateur Rene Denis inspired by his Cuban-Colombian heritage.
Reviews
Sky Trantham
As a gluten free girlie, I was excited to try this place I found on Find ME GF. I went here in the middle of the day, and it was fairly quiet since it was before the rush. The bartenders were very sweet, and I got to sit next to the window that looks into the secret garden. They told me that all kinds of animals visit every day. The food was excellent, specially the veggie empenadas. Such delicious filling! My only wish is that there had been more delicious salsa, but I was too shy to ask for more. Sauces were delicious too! I will definitely be back when I come visit SF again.
… moreSimone Harms
We were very excited to try this place promising the flavors of the Caribbean and South America. I have to say while the food presentation wasn’t all that, the flavors were there. It was delicious. Even though we had reservations it took them a while to get us seated and our orders taken but after that the service was great. They were out of two desserts and didn’t have any espresso even though it’s on the menu. I think it’s definitely worth checking out and we’ll be back if we’re in the area.
… moreJune Wong
Fantastic place for a pre-theater dinner. Yuca fries were great, love the sauce and the flavored oil that comes with it. The portions are good sized. The Lechon Cubano was flavorful, meat was tender. The Arepa de Cemita was also wonderful. The Dos Mariposas cocktail was tasty, with edible butterfly-shaped decorations. The Arroz con Dulce de Leche was fantastic, cinnamon forward. Charming atmosphere.
… moreAlethea D
I thought this would be a four or five star review while I was eating, until I saw the check. It’s a nice place for dinner and a show at the Orpheum, but otherwise it’s overpriced. We ordered the Camarones with black beans and plantains, the tapioca buns, brussel sprouts, a side of Maduros, and the pork empanadas.
… moreSpencer Q
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Overall: Definitely one of the better places to eat at in the neighborhood. I’d go back if I’m in the area.
The extended review…
Food:
Ropa Vieja – 4/5 – I’ve found it somewhat difficult to find this dish in the city and this is one of the few that has it. It’s a very tasty dish with some good accompaniments.
Service: 4/5 – Friendly and attentive service.
Ambiance: 4/5 – A very festive and vibrant ambiance.
… moreService: 4/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Overall: Definitely one of the better places to eat at in the neighborhood. I’d go back if I’m in the area.
The extended review…
Food:
Ropa Vieja – 4/5 – I’ve found it somewhat difficult to find this dish in the city and this is one of the few that has it. It’s a very tasty dish with some good accompaniments.
Service: 4/5 – Friendly and attentive service.
Ambiance: 4/5 – A very festive and vibrant ambiance.
Matty Easton
Bright colors and fresh flavors sing, but slow service and food consistency leave some things to be desired.
Positives: plantain chips are a MUST. Delicious tomatillo-based dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy Caribbean fried fruit. Vibe in the restaurant is warm and inviting, and our server was fun and flirtatious (without crossing any lines).
Negatives: food didn’t arrive until an hour after reservation began. They ran out of bistec (marinated ribeye) but didn’t inform us until 30 minutes after we submitted our order — these things happen, but it was frustrating to re-order so long after we initially spoke with the waiter.
What to order?: Pass on the arepa (disappointingly dry). Instead, order the GORGEOUS fried chicken sandwich (“Cemita Poblana”) — the sandwich was larger than my outstretched hand and included a mountain of fries. We almost could have shared one between two people — generous portioning in this dish was awesome, though it was missing in the arepa and empanada dishes.
We’ll come back again for the great flavors, but not on a night with a timely event after dinner — we were late for our post-dinner evening concert despite arriving nearly two hours before the event (which was two blocks away).
… morePositives: plantain chips are a MUST. Delicious tomatillo-based dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy Caribbean fried fruit. Vibe in the restaurant is warm and inviting, and our server was fun and flirtatious (without crossing any lines).
Negatives: food didn’t arrive until an hour after reservation began. They ran out of bistec (marinated ribeye) but didn’t inform us until 30 minutes after we submitted our order — these things happen, but it was frustrating to re-order so long after we initially spoke with the waiter.
What to order?: Pass on the arepa (disappointingly dry). Instead, order the GORGEOUS fried chicken sandwich (“Cemita Poblana”) — the sandwich was larger than my outstretched hand and included a mountain of fries. We almost could have shared one between two people — generous portioning in this dish was awesome, though it was missing in the arepa and empanada dishes.
We’ll come back again for the great flavors, but not on a night with a timely event after dinner — we were late for our post-dinner evening concert despite arriving nearly two hours before the event (which was two blocks away).
Krystine L
Enjoyed a nice dinner here on a Friday. We made reservations, but I don’t think it was necessary. The presentation is really nice, but we all agreed the food was a bit lacking in terms of flavor. The drinks were excellent, loved the Dos Mariposas. The servers are nice, but my water was empty most of the time. It was not overly packed, the decor is very trendy, but it’s a bit loud if that bothers you.
… moreJasmine Chung
Ambiance 5/5 – lively, bright, not super noisy even thought it was filled up for a Saturday supper
Service 5/5 – they were all so nice and attentive!
Food 5/5 – explanation being I’d want to come back here over and over. Some of our favorites were – empanadas (gotta try em all! Crispy but not overly greasy with well balanced filling. The sauce, too, so good), De Cemita (their version of fried chicken with rice, beans, and masa pockets. The batter was crispy with chicken so juicy on the inside. Just wow!), their shortbread cookies (highly recommend), and ALL of their cocktails! So yummy you’ll WANT to be back!
… moreService 5/5 – they were all so nice and attentive!
Food 5/5 – explanation being I’d want to come back here over and over. Some of our favorites were – empanadas (gotta try em all! Crispy but not overly greasy with well balanced filling. The sauce, too, so good), De Cemita (their version of fried chicken with rice, beans, and masa pockets. The batter was crispy with chicken so juicy on the inside. Just wow!), their shortbread cookies (highly recommend), and ALL of their cocktails! So yummy you’ll WANT to be back!
Andrea Santos
hidden gem tucked near the edge of tenderloin. unassuming entrance and interior but everything from the food to drinks were amazing. classic latin food with some modern twists. pleasantly surprised and would come back!
beware when paying through QR code, the automatic tip is over 22%
midnight in medellin: take on espresso martini, one of the best i’ve had. not too bitter or sweet.
tigre blanco: refreshing, remniscent of caipirinha
beso de angel: pass. tastes like straight pineapple juice.
yuca fries: perfectly crispy and loved the garlic olive oil dip. wish it came with the mole dip as well
mariquitas: fried plantains were great but the chile mole sauce was standout. never tried something like that before. must try.
steak empanadas: good but would skip next time.
pork arepa: great smoky, sweet, savory flavors. plantains inside paired well with the shredded pork and loved the smoky sauce on the side.
arroz con leche: really well made rice pudding. nothing super unique but
… morebeware when paying through QR code, the automatic tip is over 22%
midnight in medellin: take on espresso martini, one of the best i’ve had. not too bitter or sweet.
tigre blanco: refreshing, remniscent of caipirinha
beso de angel: pass. tastes like straight pineapple juice.
yuca fries: perfectly crispy and loved the garlic olive oil dip. wish it came with the mole dip as well
mariquitas: fried plantains were great but the chile mole sauce was standout. never tried something like that before. must try.
steak empanadas: good but would skip next time.
pork arepa: great smoky, sweet, savory flavors. plantains inside paired well with the shredded pork and loved the smoky sauce on the side.
arroz con leche: really well made rice pudding. nothing super unique but
Bill Carter
From the moment I stepped into Chao Pescao, I was transported straight to Havana. The vibrant colors and rhythmic Cuban beats immediately set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience.
The menu at Chao Pescao is a tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Cuba, and each dish we tried was a masterpiece. We started with the classic Cuban empanadas, which were perfectly crispy and bursting with flavorful fillings. The Ropa Vieja is a must-try, featuring tender shredded beef simmered to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce, served with a generous portion of rice and beans.
One of the highlights was the Lechón Asado—slow-roasted pork that was incredibly juicy and seasoned to perfection. The accompanying mojo sauce was the perfect complement, adding a zesty kick to each delectable bite.
To complement the meal, their selection of rum-based cocktails is outstanding. I highly recommend the classic Mojito, which was refreshing and expertly balanced. The staff at Chao Pescao were as warm and welcoming as the Cuban sunshine. Their attentive service and genuine passion for Cuban cuisine added a personal touch to the overall dining experience.
The vibrant ambiance, combined with the authentic and flavorful dishes, makes Chao Pescao a standout destination in San Francisco’s diverse culinary scene. Whether you’re a Cuban cuisine aficionado or experiencing it for the first time, Chao Pescao promises a delightful culinary journey you won’t soon forget.
Bravo to the team at Chao Pescao for bringing a piece of Cuba to San Francisco! I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu.
I hope this review captures the essence and allure of Chao Pescao for potential visitors!
… moreThe menu at Chao Pescao is a tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Cuba, and each dish we tried was a masterpiece. We started with the classic Cuban empanadas, which were perfectly crispy and bursting with flavorful fillings. The Ropa Vieja is a must-try, featuring tender shredded beef simmered to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce, served with a generous portion of rice and beans.
One of the highlights was the Lechón Asado—slow-roasted pork that was incredibly juicy and seasoned to perfection. The accompanying mojo sauce was the perfect complement, adding a zesty kick to each delectable bite.
To complement the meal, their selection of rum-based cocktails is outstanding. I highly recommend the classic Mojito, which was refreshing and expertly balanced. The staff at Chao Pescao were as warm and welcoming as the Cuban sunshine. Their attentive service and genuine passion for Cuban cuisine added a personal touch to the overall dining experience.
The vibrant ambiance, combined with the authentic and flavorful dishes, makes Chao Pescao a standout destination in San Francisco’s diverse culinary scene. Whether you’re a Cuban cuisine aficionado or experiencing it for the first time, Chao Pescao promises a delightful culinary journey you won’t soon forget.
Bravo to the team at Chao Pescao for bringing a piece of Cuba to San Francisco! I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu.
I hope this review captures the essence and allure of Chao Pescao for potential visitors!